La Reserve de Beaulieu & Spa, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cote d'Azur

$$$$

Once a seafood restaurant, this early-twentieth-century Florentine-style villa between Nice and Monaco occupies "an idyllic part of the world," hence the perfect location score. Rooms in cream and gray overlook a pool set just above the sea. Restaurant des Rois uses local fish and regional meats in classic preparations like suckling veal and South Finistère scampi.

(39 rooms)

Also featured on the: Gold List for 2005, Gold List for 2006, Gold List for 2007, Gold List for 2008, Gold List for 2010, Gold List for 2011